Order no. 19 of the Swiss Division of Agriculture (phytosanitary service). Regulations on the importation of Bonsai plants (15 March 1979)
a) Bonsai plants may only be imported at the customs offices in Basle and at Zurich and Geneva airports.
b) Bonsai plants are liable to phytosanitary inspection and must be accompanied by an official phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. The certificate must state that the plants and soil are free from harmful organisms, particularly Popillia japonica.
c) Inspection of Bonsai plants will involve the examination of soil samples to check on the possible presence of larvae or pupae of P. japonica and of nematodes.
d) Bonsai plants suffering from fireblight or plum pox may not be imported into Switzerland. The list of host plants of plum pox should be extended to include Prunus mandshurika, Prunus mume, P. nigra and P. sibirica.
e) Bonsai plants which are potential carriers of Quadraspidiotus perniciosus may be imported on the following conditions, provided they are not prohibited under (d) above :
Only plants from North and Central Europe, and, as an exception to the general regulation, from Eastern Asia (People 's Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan) and North America (USA, Canada), may be imported.
Importation must be between 1st October and 15th April.
The plants must be fumigated before or on arrival in Switzerland in an installation approved by the Division of Agriculture. Fumigation must be carried out following the EPPO-approved standard, at the expense of and at the risk to the carrier. Fumigation in a foreign country must be indicated by an official certificate.
f) Bonsai plants of the species Juniperus chinensis and J. procumbens must be imported before 15th April. After importation, the plants must be held until 30th June of the current year in a suitable glasshouse to await inspection by the phytosanitary service for the possible presence of Gymnosporangium asiaticum. Individual consignments (non-grouped) are not permitted. Plants placed on quarantine may not be released without the authorization of the phytosanitary service. Consignments of these species imported after 15th April must remain in quarantine until 30th June of the following year.
This order came into force on 19th March 1979.
Sources
Division of Agriculture, Bern (1979-03)